The UK’s trade envoy to Turkey, Afzal Khan, has resigned following a trip last week to Northern Cyprus.
It is a territory not recognised by the British government as a self-declared independent nation since Turkey’s military invasion of the island in 1974.
The MP for Manchester Rusholme was forced to quit just days after Sky News revealed the outrage from the Cypriot government, who called Mr Khan’s actions “absolutely condemnable”, insisting “the relevant representations have been made to him for his unacceptable behaviour”.
The spokesperson went on to say Mr Khan’s actions “are in complete contradiction with the established position of all British governments”.
The Foreign Office said in a statement this week that Khan’s visit “was undertaken in a personal capacity”, adding: “There is no change to the government’s long-standing position regarding the so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’.”
On Friday, a UK government spokesperson said: “Mr Khan has left his position as trade envoy to the Republic of Turkey.”
The Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, initially said Mr Khan was invited at his request after meeting him in Manchester a few months ago.
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A video published by the newspaper showed Mr Khan posing for photos in Mr Tatar’s office and receiving gifts. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the only university in Northern Cyprus on Monday.
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel had called for his resignation, and shadow foreign affairs minister Wendy Morton had also written to Europe minister Stephen Doughty to express “deep concern” at Mr Khan’s visit.
Ms Morton noted that he travelled via Tymbou airport (locally known as Ercan International Airport), to which the British government prevents direct flights. The Cypriot government considers the use of the airport to enter or exit the island illegal.
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The president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, which represents the more than 30,000 Cypriots in Britain, told Sky News: “We welcome Afzhal Khan’s resignation as the UK Trade Envoy to Turkey. His position was clearly untenable following his deeply inappropriate and unacceptable visit to occupied northern Cyprus.
“The UK has a special role in Cyprus as a guarantor power and permanent member of the UN Security Council. Mr Khan’s condemnable actions compromised UK foreign policy, undermined the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and contravened international law.
“We are very grateful to the Parliamentarians and media who stood with our UK Cypriot community and raised this issue.”
In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared with Sky News on Friday, Mr Khan wrote: “This travel was unrelated to my role as trade envoy, however I understand the circumstances have generated controversy.
It is my belief that trust in Parliament is paramount. Due to the attention this matter has drawn, I feel it is best to step down at this time, as to not distract from the hard work this Labour government is doing to secure the best possible trade deals and international relationships for our country.”
